#support your libraries

so... the hamster in my brain got the zoomies again. I was thinking why do people use AI to make "art" (other than to scam people out of their hard-earned money), because to me it seems like the effort is not worth the reward.

Faster output? What does that give you? Content for the algo? I mean, sure, it'll help you stay on the platform's good side, but it's not for your audience's benefit.

Afraid you can't draw? So what, you'll spend time and money training and programming your own engine (if you wanna do it ethically) or toy around on whatever slop machine they're shoving down our gullets (if you don't care)? IDK, seems to me like you could have learned yourself by the time you generate something you like.

No ideas? I remember someone used that as their reason why they turned to the slop engine but surely you can get inspirations by going outside. Go on a walk, to a museum, to the library, feed your artist child or whatever shite it was Julia Cameron was pushing 30 years ago....

Oh...

Wait...

Libraries and museums and even public parks are getting defunded.

Libraries and museums and even public parks are not accessible to everyone.

Libraries and museums and even public parks are third spaces and third spaces are vanishing rapidly.

And isn't that interesting? Isn't it interesting that art and art making is being pushed to us as "elitist", and museums and public libraries are also pushed to us as "elitist", and public parks are increasingly places of danger rather than respite? Isn't it interesting that all the places where imagination can be nurtured and grow wild are being rebranded as "elitist" while funding is being pulled left, right, and center? Isn't it interesting that, instead of funding these places of education, we are handing tax breaks to the same elites who make the slop machines?

Isn't it interesting that the general public is being told to stay inside and entertain themselves with slop?

Isn't it interesting that only rich people are allowed access to the places where imagination can get fed?

Isn't it interesting that the general population should give up libraries, museums and parks - third spaces that serve everybody - and instead pay more for an inferior product just so that they can feed their imagination a bit?

I find that interesting.

Streaming service WE PAY FOR rolled out ads during it.

We were so upset we had to stop and go eat pie.

Me: guess it's time to just get dvds from the library

I do NOT support the Author's Guild on this. I stand with libraries. Let me tell you why.

MATH. Unless by some magical money tree, the budget will have to come from somewhere. Probably (likely) from those mid-list and low-list book purchases. Because SJM and Stephen King will absolutely be checked out. So the authors who will be missing out? Most of us.

CAPITALISM. The fact that author revenue is down? We can start with capitalism. Consolidation of publishing houses to fewer and fewer, with layoffs so significant that books are making it onto the shelves with very little to no editing (looking at Shy Girl)

CAPITALISM 2: People generally have less money! And when you are struggling to buy food, you are NOT able to spend on books. So, maybe let’s increase the minimum wage and make sure people have enough for food and gas and rent before going after LIBRARIES.

CAPITALISM 3: Have you been paying attention to how many ‘big box’ stores have been undercutting authors? Talking about stocking AI books if they sell? I have. Authors are making less in part because big companies have monopolies and get to dictate the terms. It’d be a better idea to break those up so that there’s competition for competitive prices again.

THE TIMES: The marketplace has changed. More people are listening to audiobooks. And you know who absolutely FUMBLED audiobooks as an author advocacy organization? That’s right, the very Author’s Guild who decided… “who is to blame for authors making less money? I know! It’s libraries!”

Libraries are already fighting for their lives, and they are one of the last third spaces out there. I have a lot more faith in a librarian finding my mid or low list book and stocking it, getting people to read it and maybe even BUY IT than I do in a Guild who says they’ll give you a Human Made sticker for a price, and on a website that literally ends with a “.ai”

I know I'm supposed to be making comics about how quarantine is making me re-evaluate my life, but I'd rather celebrate libraries and the two sweetest words known to man:

girl same, i get it from the library